Soomarokoff's "Demetrius."—Who translated the following drama from the Russian?
Demetrius, a Tragedy, 8vo., 1806, translated by Eustaphiere. This piece, which is a translation from a tragedy of Soomarokoff, one of the most eminent dramatic authors of Russia, is said to be the first (and I think it is still the only) Russian drama of which there is an English translation.
S. N.
Polygamy.—1. Do the Jews at present, in any country, practise polygamy? 2. If not, when and why was that practice discontinued among them? 3. Is there any religious sect which forbids polygamy, besides the Christians (and the Jews, if the Jews do forbid it)? 4. Was Polygamy permitted among the early Christians? Paul's direction to Timothy, that a bishop should be "the husband of one wife," seems to show that it was; though I am aware that the phrase has been interpreted otherwise. 5. On what ground has polygamy become forbidden among Christians? I am not aware that it is directly forbidden by Scripture.
Stylites.
Irish, Anglo-Saxon, Longobardic, and Old English Letters.—I would be glad to know the earliest date in which the Irish language has been discovered inscribed on stone or in manuscript; also the earliest date in which the Anglo-Saxon, Longobardic, and Old English letter has been known in England and Ireland.
E. F.
Youghal.
Description of Battles.—Judging from my own experience, historical details of battles are comparatively unintelligible to non-military readers. Now that, unhappily, we shall probably be compelled to "hear of battles," would not some of our enterprising publishers do well to furnish to the readers of history and of the bulletins, a popular "Guide to the Battle Field," drawn up some talented military officer? It must contain demonstratively clear diagrams, and such explanations of all that needs to be known, as an officer would give, on the spot, to his nonprofessional friend. The effects of eminences, rivers, roads, woods, marshes, &c., should be made plain; in short, nothing should be omitted which is necessary to render an account of a battle intelligible to ordinary readers, instead of being, as is too often the case, a mere chaotic assemblage of words.
Thinks I to Myself.